Neighbour wants to tap into our domestic water supply

rachelleigh73

Hi - just wanted to get thoughts/shared experiences. We live close to some canal moorings and have been approached by a couple of boat owners who are wanting to create a metered water supply to their land adjacent to the canal. The water board have quoted them in excess of 15k to do it officially from the road connection. We have been approached to ask if we will allow the boat owners to access our water supply. They have said they will do all the work themselves in terms of digging, connecting to our supply and laying of pipework. In return they have offered to pay half of our standing charge and to pay in advance for their estimated water bill. Much as we want to be helpful - we are feeling very cautious about proceeding with this. We pay a rated water bill, not currently metered. Are we right to be cautious? With thanks in anticipation...

Rachel

Carrot007

Besides anything else this is a breach of your contract with the water company. Would you like them to cut you off. (Yeah not gonna happen but they will get you to pay damages and for fixing the mess).

scaredofdebt

I wouldn't touch that with a barge-pole.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously I would avoid, you are probably breaking a contract with your water supplier, give them a ring and see what they say, I expect they will not be supportive.

heatherw_01

Nope would avoid 100%

matelodave

No way - you'll have no control over how much water is being used and boat owners are notorious for wasting the stuff, not just filling water tanks but washing down boats and just leaving the water running.

Even if the water co did sanction it, you would not be allowed to remain on a rated tariff, they'd insist on a meter and your costs would skyrocket. You couldn't always rely on the landowner paying up either.

Don't do it

Norman_Castle

In return they have offered to pay half of our standing charge and to pay in advance for their estimated water bill.

Even if the estimate is exact all you will gain is 50% of your standing charge which is unlikely to be much. Is it worth the effort and risk of complications.
If you want to be helpful but risk free ask your water supplier if you supplying them is an option.

To reduce their 15K quote have they suggested doing most of the work and just paying for the supplier to do the final mains connection?

PennineAcute

Remember the old adage, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

ColinFishwick

Not in a million years would I agree to this for reasons mention. Also people have a knack of going back on there word, good luck making sure they honour this.

Chino

PennineAcute wrote: »

Remember the old adage

In what way is this "old adage" relevant to the OP?

rachelleigh73

Thank you so much to everyone who took the trouble to reply - well that's clear lol. I'm glad my gut instinct is reliable! I may contact Thames Water just out of interest to get their take on it - I appreciate the suggestion. Great forum - thanks again!

poppellerant

If you aren't on a meter, perhaps offer them occasional use of a hosepipe by means of courtesy. Otherwise avoid.